Are you an aspiring actor? Maybe you’ve just moved to a new city and are looking for ways to get your start in the acting world. Finding acting auditions can be difficult if you don’t know where to look. I’m sure you’ve asked yourself many times, “how do I find acting auditions near me without an agent”.
After living in Los Angeles for over a decade, then moving to a smaller market, I had to find new ways to find acting auditions near me. Trust me, it’s much easier than you think and there are plenty of opportunities!
Below are 5 ways to find auditions on your own that won’t cost you a dime.
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1. Local Production Companies
When you’re watching TV, start paying attention to what type of commercials are currently on air. You’ll likely see big brand name commercials like Nike, T-Mobile, or a car company of sorts. If you really start to observe, you’ll notice local car dealerships, restaurants, mattress stores, and many small businesses that may be in the area.
**This is great news! That means that all of those commercials were filmed locally and that a local production company was hired to make it. Consequently, they need actors, aka YOU, to be in them!
There are a couple of things you can do to find local “production companies near me”.
- Head on to Google and type in [Your City] + production companies
- Type in the commercial + [City].
- Contact the company the commercial was made for and ask them.
- Try to see if you recognize anybody in the commercial and ask them for some information.
Once you find the production company, head to their website and see if they have a contact form or a roster they pull talent from. Likely, they work with a local talent agency to cast the commercials, but there are many times when they don’t have the additional funds to pay for an agency. Read below…
2. Local Talent Agencies
Believe it or not, almost every major city USA has some type of talent agency that will help you find “acting auditions near me”. Remember, someone’s gotta do those commercials for local dealerships and restaurants, here’s where YOU come in!
I want to explain a little further when I say “some type of talent agency”. Bigger markets like LA or NY will sometimes have separate agencies specifically for models, character types, live performances, commercials, and so on. Smaller markets likely have a one-stop-shop when it comes to representation.
They may not get as much work as the bigger markets, but when a production company needs actors, they’re an easy one-call away.
In addition, agencies for brand ambassadors will also represent talent for commercials and other extremely fun gigs! (I’ll save this for another conversation)
So, find who those agencies are, get your talent submission package together (photo + resume), research their preferred method of contact, and reach out!
🙂
*NOTE* Do NOT pay to get representation. Below is a great informational video from “Always Acting Up” podcast where I spoke with the president of SagAftra New Mexico about working in a smaller market.
3. Film Schools
If you’re wondering “how do I find acting auditions near me”, look no further than your closest university. If there’s a film department, they need actors!
They need to practice and make films, which means they need people, ALL looks, ages, shapes, experience level, etc to bring their stories to life. The best part about this is that you have an opportunity to build relationships with the future of filmmaking, and when they grow, you grow.
Reach out to your local university or college to see where they seek actors! They may also be able to direct you to local talent agencies near you or production companies they may work with or have their students intern at. See, it’s all kind of tied together.
4. Social Media
I have to admit when I first moved away from Los Angeles and to Las Vegas, I was incredibly nervous that my acting career would come to a screeching halt. Panicked, I used every tool in my back pocket to help me find the community and where to find local acting auditions near me.
Who knew one of the best resources I had access to were Facebook Groups. I found and BOOKED so many jobs, that I would have never imagined even possible through a simple Facebook post.
Listen up, for projects that are filming in smaller markets or productions that have a smaller budgets, many castings are posted directly from production companies/filmmakers and onto these social media groups.
To find “acting auditions near me”, try and join ALL of the Facebook groups that include the following words-
- Actor, Actors Actress, Actresses, Talent
- Acting
- Film, Filmmaking, Filmmakers, Film productions, Crew
- Talent Agency/Agencies
- Casting
- Etc.
5. Networking events
Next, one of the best ways to find local auditions is through a referral. In other words, it’s all about who you know.
Do a little research and meet as many people as possible. You’ll want to form relationships with other actors, casting directors, and all those who work in production. Not everyone will be able to help you directly, but you will be able to pick up gems here and there from almost everyone you meet. Just make sure to use your best judgment and weed out the information that sounds a little sketch.
So, where to find those events?
- Film Festivals
- Meet Up Groups
- Acting classes
- Plays & theater groups often have opening or closing night celebrations
- Galas
- Start your own group
Here is a fantastic article where I spoke with feature film director, Hisonni Mustafa (“Take Out Girl” on Hulu, Chalk it Up, Prodigy) who shared details on how to build genuine relationships with filmmakers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding auditions without an agent is easier than you think. There are plenty of resources available to help you find the right opportunities for you.
Utilize your network of friends and family, as well as online resources, to find the best auditions near you. Remember to stay positive and put your best foot forward. With a little bit of effort, you can find the right opportunity for yourself and land the role of your dreams.
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